glory

I think some of the team’s more questionable contracts could bounce back next season (Gimenez, Santander, Hoffman) but they probably should consider trying to shed money somewhere. I mentioned Straw earlier. If his 2025 season made his 2026 salary more palatable for other teams then he’s a logical one. I don’t think he’s a 90 wRC+ bat again, and Lukes as a 4th OF (even with limited CF defense) is the better option. Berrios is another one but I can’t imagine he’s movable with his contract. Hoffman is coming off a negative WAR season where he gave up the 2nd most home runs for a reliever in baseball and gave up probably the most embarrassing home run in World Series history, so can’t imagine there’s a market there either. Rogers probably just needs to go Steve Cohen this winter and then see what happens with the CBA next winter. Shedding salary doesn’t seem like a plausible option.

There will be a bunch of SP options in FA and trade, but it's harder to see where the Jays pivot to if Bichette leaves. I doubt they'll be in on Schwarber with Tony locked up for a while, and Tucker/Bellinger are likely going to go above their comfort level. Who else is there? The super obvious trade candidate, and I'd actually bet on this happening if Bo leaves given how Ross operates, is Steven Kwan. He has the skill set that the Jays salivate over. If Ketel Marte becomes available then he would be another one that makes sense. Re-signing Bo is probably the best way to proceed here, especially if there's mutual interest and he's open to 2B. Not sure a long term deal for Bo will age practically well, but you have to add short term wins wherever you can this winter.

Never thought I'd be depressed talking about hot stove baseball, but here we are. I don't think Lukes is going to start next season. They either bring Bichette back and Barger/Santander are in the OF corners, or Bichette leaves and they probably just stick Barger at 3B and try to find an outfielder to replace Bo's spot in the lineup. In both scenarios, Lukes falls back into a 4th OF role, which I think he's better suited for anyway. It will be interesting to see what they do with the bench if that happens. If there's even a chance to trade Straw without having to eat up money now, then I think you do that in a heartbeat and put Lukes in the 4th OF role. That $6M can be used way more efficiently, and Straw is a prime candidate to turn back into a pumpkin next season. The rotation is really what will make or break the 2026 team. They won in spite of the rotation for most of this season. Without Yesavage panning out and the Bieber trade, things would have looked a lot different. They need to add legit upside to the rotation this winter. Luckily the FA market is strongest in SP's. That's one area Atkins has to hit a home run. It's unfair to expect any FA SP signing to pan out like Gausman's did, but essentially have to find the next Gausman contract this winter. Bieber, Cease, Woodruff, Valdez, Suarez, King....there are options with varying levels of upside, floor, and risk.

IKF is a free agent after this season, the Jays need a backup IF next year, and Ross Atkins valued him at $15M two years ago for being the exact same player he is now. They just gave him ~40 plate appearances in a World Series playoff run. I'd be shocked if he's not back next season at something like 1/3 or a small deal like that. I nearly vomited typing that but I'm just preparing for that now so it eases the pain when it actually happens.

I have no issues piling on IKF, he's horrendous, but Jeff Hoffman gave up a home run to Miguel Rojas. Not Ohtani, or Freeman, or Smith, or Betts, or Teo, or anyone else. Miguel f'n Rojas. This one is on Hoffman. There's a lot of luck involved in baseball, it's a game of inches, but giving up a HR to a damn scrub in the 9th inning of Game 7 when you're 2 outs away is the damn reason you lost.

He's a FA but the Jays FO is the only one that values him this highly. I think he's back as a utility player next season. I truly hope I'm wrong on that. Since Leo Jimenez is out of options, hopefully they just stick him in that role. I legit never want to see IKF wear this uniform ever again. Not as long as JS is managing.

The Jays lost because their closer gave up a home run to Miguel Rojas when they were 2 outs, and 4 strikes, away from a World Series title. I'm not getting over this s*** for a while. I'm sure eventually I'll appreciate how amazing this season was, but it sure as hell won't be now. A kick in the nuts wouldn't hurt as much as this.

Trade Hoffman. Giving up a HR to Rojas in that spot. I don’t want to see him again.

I can’t get over Hoffman giving up a HR to Rojas.

This one is on JS. Insane they went with Dominguez here.

Depending on Dominguez in Game 7 in the 10th is insane. Bring Bieber in.

Hoffman giving up a home run to Miguel f***ing Rojas is an embarrassment. Cant believe this s***.

Holy s*** that was huge.

Kinda nervous about Yesavage on 2 days rest here. Gausman didn’t look good in Game 7 of the SEA series in this spot but got lucky. Let’s go Trey.

I’m guessing Yesavage for 1 and Hoffman for 2 is the plan.

Very risky bringing Varland in here.

Max starting this inning is terrifying.

Getting out of that with just 1 run is damn near a miracle. Get Max out of the game now.

10 year deal. I don’t care. Bo can’t leave.

It doesn’t have to be pretty. Max is getting outs. All that matters. Have the pen ready for the next inning or two here.

Springer rare dumb moment and then Bo on one leg being the lead runner. Baseball Gods may have already decided what they want.

Moving Lukes off the 2 spot would be fine with me. He's a league average hitter at best and he's having a poor WS so far. Go with the hot hand. Either push Vlad up a spot or put Barger there, as mentioned. One thing I don't see mentioned often, maybe it has, but there was very little chance Springer was going to be allowed to hit in the 9th if Barger doesn't get picked off. I feel like walking him to pitch to Lukes would have been an absolute no brainer that even Dave Roberts wouldn't have messed up. That 2 spot needs a more upside bat.

What makes this more frustrating is that we saw two plays in a span of 4 games that were so inexcusable and they ended up either costing the team the win or costing the team the chance to potentially win; the Bo pick off in Game 3 and the Barger play at 2B last night. I see people on social media blaming umpiring or the ball being wedged in the OF for those losses...... but literally all Bo had to do was stand near the bag to wait for the call, and all Barger had to do was not be half way to 3B on a shallow drive to LF. Completely avoidable mistakes that ended up having major consequences. It's one thing to lose because the other team executed better but I don't think that's been the case here. The Jays probably should have already won this series based on how it's been played, but now it's a coin flip Game 7 where the pitching matchups tilt in the Dodgers favor (on paper). The Jays have come back from this type of adversity all season. Hopefully they have one more come back win in them.

I would imagine the Dodgers won't even use any of their actual relievers tomorrow except Sasaki. It will be Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow, and Sasaki at a minimum. The Jays will likely have Max, Bieber, and Yesavage available. All hands on deck would be an understatement.